Residents raise questions about state property tax deferral and county tax office procedures during public comment

During the public comment segment of the Salt Lake County Council meeting on May 20, 2025, two residents raised concerns about property tax notices and a state property-tax deferral program and asked for county assistance and clarification.

David Quinn of Sandy and Jim Besock (identified in the meeting as speaking from West Valley City) both addressed the council. Quinn said he had received a tax notice of about $3,000 and a letter referencing an ARP/state program that he interpreted as offering a deferral "until I pass away." He said he had visited the tax commission and described an office interaction he regarded as a privacy breach: staff discussing his personal tax information in a hallway in earshot of other people. Quinn asked whether the county could defer his taxes for 10 years; county staff and a council member answered that the deferral described is a state program with eligibility rules, interest charges and that it is not an option for all taxpayers.

A council member present said the program Quinn referenced had been established by the state legislature and that the state treasurer’s office can advise residents about enrollment and qualification. County staff offered to have a representative from the treasurer’s office speak with Quinn after the meeting; staff also asked for a screenshot of the letter so that Adult and Aging Services could check for public confusion. The treasurer’s office staff member present offered to follow up directly with the resident.

Clarifying details included the amount Quinn cited ($3,000), his account of the tax commission session (being asked to provide information in a hallway with other people present) and staff guidance that the statewide deferral programs typically target specific populations (for example, qualifying seniors) and that they carry interest charges and eligibility requirements. Council and staff repeatedly emphasized that questions about qualifying for a state deferral program must be addressed with the state treasurer’s office or the county treasurer’s office and that the county staff present would help facilitate that contact.

No formal county action was taken; county staff promised follow-up with the treasurer’s office and offered to review the posted materials and the resident’s screenshots to address any communication problems.

Speakers in the record who participated in this exchange included the residents who spoke and county staff and council members who offered procedural and program guidance.